The Holy Month of Ramadan

Muslim Festival of Ramadan Begins

Muslims hold prayers on the first night of the holy month of Ramadan at the Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta, July 9, 2013. Islam's holy month of Ramadan is celebrated by Muslims worldwide marked by fasting, abstaining from foods, sex and smoking from dawn to dusk for soul cleansing and strengthening the spiritual bond between them and the Almighty.

Adek Berry/AFP/Getty Images

Muslim Festival of Ramadan Begins

Muslims hold prayers on the first night of the holy month of Ramadan at the Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta, July 9, 2013. Islam's holy month of Ramadan is celebrated by Muslims worldwide marked by fasting, abstaining from foods, sex and smoking from dawn to dusk for soul cleansing and strengthening the spiritual bond between them and the Almighty.

Adek Berry/AFP/Getty Images

Muslim Festival of Ramadan Begins

Indonesian Muslims perform prayers known as Tarawih at a mosque, July 9, 2013 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Muslims must fast in the month of Ramadan from dawn until sunset, when they break the fast with the meal known as Iftar, and some also perform Tarawih prayers, which are voluntary.

Syamsul Bahri Muhammad/Getty Images

Muslim Festival of Ramadan Begins

A florist prepares floral offerings for visitors making pilgrimages to visit the graves of family members before Ramadan, July 9, 2013 in Surabaya, Indonesia. Muslims fasting in the month of Ramadan abstain from food, drink and sex from dawn until sunset, when they break the fast with the meal known as Iftar.

Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images

Muslim Festival of Ramadan Begins

Muslims perform prayers known as Tarawih at a mosque on July 9, 2013 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Muslims must fast in the month of Ramadan from dawn until sunset, when they break the fast with the meal known as Iftar, and some also perform Tarawih prayers, which are voluntary.

Syamsul Bahri Muhammad/Getty Images

Muslim Festival of Ramadan Begins

Muslim women hold prayers on the first night of the holy month of Ramadan at the Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta, July 9, 2013. Islam's holy month of Ramadan is celebrated by Muslims worldwide marked by fasting, abstaining from foods, sex and smoking from dawn to dusk for soul cleansing and strengthening the spiritual bond between them and the Almighty.

Adek Berry/AFP/Getty Images

Muslim Festival of Ramadan Begins

Yemeni girls wearing traditional costumes, attend a festival for children to welcome the Holy month of Ramadan in the old city of Sanaa, Yemen, July 8, 2013. Muslims throughout the world including Yemen prepare for the holy fasting month of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar with the dawn-to-dusk fast, prayers and spiritual introspection.

Hani Mohammed/AP Photo

Muslim Festival of Ramadan Begins

A Pakistani customer tries a cap ahead of Ramadan, in Peshawar, Pakistan, July 9, 2013. During Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk.

Mohammad Sajjad/AP Photo

Muslim Festival of Ramadan Begins

A vendor waits for customers to sell praying beads ahead of Ramadan, in Peshawar, Pakistan, July 9, 2013. During Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk.

Mohammad Sajjad/AP Photo

Muslim Festival of Ramadan Begins

Indonesian Muslims perform an evening prayer called 'tarawih' marking the first eve of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 9, 2013. During Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk.